Dear Empower Possible Community,
A few weeks ago, I shared a blog post about coping strategies during difficult times (check it out here). Today, I want to dive deeper into one of my favorite tools for coping—mantras. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin, I found that mantras can be particularly helpful in managing anxiety over a challenging project.
But before we delve into that, let's take a moment to commemorate an important day. Today, we join in commemorating Juneteenth, which marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is a celebration of resilience, strength, and the triumph of a community. Juneteenth reminds us of the significance of freedom, equality, and justice for all. Let us honor this milestone in history and continue our collective work toward a more inclusive and equitable society.
A step towards justice is peace and vice versa. Peace of mind is a great place to start—mantras for example can help manage project-related anxiety. Please note there are many different types of mantras. When I am using the term mantra I am referring to a statement I utilize to help calm my mind and redirect my focus.
Here are a few mantras that can help shift our mindset and navigate the challenges we may encounter: Thanks to Gretchen Rubin for the inspiration.
First Mantra:
"There are many ways for a [project] to succeed."
Success isn't solely defined by one outcome. It can manifest in various forms, such as building connections, helping others, leading to future opportunities, or connecting to another project.
 Embrace the idea that success has multiple metrics.
What does success look like to you? What matters to you?
Second Mantra:
"A strong voice repels as well as attracts." When you have a strong voice or express your true self, it's natural that not everyone will resonate with it. As Gretchen notes, "Remember the state slogan for Nebraska: "Honestly, it's not for everybody." Embrace the fact that not everyone will appreciate or agree with your perspective, and that's perfectly okay.". In what ways do you weaken your voice?
Third Mantra:
"Don't try to fake it and be someone or something you aren't."
While the phrase "fake it till you make it" is often used, I believe in acknowledging our feelings and being authentic. Recognize that it's okay to experience stress or uncertainty, and do your best while staying true to yourself.
"Remember, this is what you wanted." Remind yourself that pursuing your goals and dreams may come with stress and challenges. Embrace the duality of success and acknowledge that hard work doesn't guarantee a stress-free journey. Practice gratitude for what you have while persevering toward your aspirations. How can you practice gratitude through out the day?
Fourth Mantra:
"You have more than one dimension to you." You are more than your job, your family role, or your appearance. Your decisions and how you spend your time reflect what you value. While we may not always have complete control over our time, when choices present themselves, consider if they align with your core values.
A mantra that truly resonates with you can be a powerful tool in overcoming challenges.
Do you utilize mantras in your life? If so, how? If not, give it a try for a few days and see how you feel. You can choose one from the list above or create your own!
Additionally, don't forget to lean into your strengths when facing obstacles. If you're unsure about your strengths or how to leverage them, I invite you to join me for the upcoming Building Our Strengths Workshop hosted by the ALA (American Leadership Association). This virtual interactive workshop will help you identify your personal strengths, reflect on their application, and understand team strengths. The goal of this course is to help YOU, so attending these sessions ready to bring up what you need is important! It begins on August 14th so sign up today! Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have, info@empowerpossible.com
Core Classroom: Building Our Strengths Together (ala.org)
Together we can regenerate our world.
Julie
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